Aqua Star, First North American Member of Community Catch

At Aqua Star, we know sustainability isn’t a destination; it’s a continuous journey. In celebration of nearly 35 years of seafood sustainability and our Seafood Forever® program, we are taking it to the next level, here and now.

Through the Seafood Forever® program, we make significant investments in projects that emphasize continuous improvement and push the status quo. That’s why we’re proud to be the first North American member of the newly launched Community Catch program — a new approach to sustainability assurance designed specifically for small-scale fisheries.

Why Partner with Community Catch?

Small-scale fisheries account for nearly 40% of global catch, providing employment for 90% of all fisheries-related people on the planet. This makes them one of the largest employers in the entire ocean economy. Despite this, many retailer and food service industry providers rely on certification programs designed for large-scale fisheries with industrial fleets from more highly developed nations. Small-scale fisheries are oftentimes excluded, due to the high costs of certification or standards that don’t take into account the complexities and realities of small-scale fisheries.

Developed by industry experts, Community Catch expands the sustainability conversation beyond traditional measures to include:

• Community Engagement 
• Carbon & Environmental Accountability 
• Social Responsibility 

These are the issues we know matter to all of us — and to the people and ecosystems behind the seafood.

We are actively piloting Community Catch in key fisheries vital to our customers, with a goal of certification in early 2027. We will continue to invest in further assessments to inform and direct our future sustainability projects.

Small-scale fisheries support livelihoods and food security in communities around the world, but they’ve often been difficult to confidently integrate into western supply chains with sustainability commitments. Community Catch is helping bridge that gap, and we’re excited not only to strengthen these supply chains, but to share the stories behind them.

Sustainability isn’t about arriving; it’s about continually pushing forward.

To learn more about our Seafood Forever commitment, explore:

www.aquastar.com/about-us/seafood-forever/

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